The body positivity movement has been making lots of progress over the past few years. It focuses on the acceptance of all body types regardless of size and shape, and has already contributed to a societal change – but there is still a long way to go.

Recent research conducted by the sports nutrition company Bulk revealed that an alarming number of people around the world are looking for ways to alter the way they look in photos. The US topped the list of countries that search for body editing apps the most online, with an astonishing 69,400 monthly searches. Brazil claimed the second spot with 27,300 searches that month, while Indonesia came third with 25,710 searches.

Below is the list of top 10 countries searching for body editing apps around the world:

1. US – 69,400 monthly searches
2. Brazil – 27,300 monthly searches
3. Indonesia – 25,710 monthly searches
4. UK – 23,510 monthly searches
5. Canada – 18,430 monthly searches
6. Turkey – 18,140 monthly searches
7. Germany – 16,770 monthly searches
8. Mexico – 15,310 monthly searches
9. Australia – 15,050 monthly searches
10.  Italy – 14,770 monthly searches

It’s understandable that most of us want to portray our best selves on social media. However, much of the content people post is not a true representation of who they are and the lifestyle they lead. A large number of people spend hours editing their photos, making themselves look like they have the bodies they think they ‘should’ have. Despite the efforts of the body positivity movement, body editing apps continue to fuel body image issues and spread a toxic culture.

The number of people looking to alter images of their bodies to reach unrealistic beauty standards is staggering, and is known to negatively affect mental health. According to a study published on the Mental Health Foundation’s website, one in eight adults experienced suicidal thoughts because of concerns about their body image. Not only that, more and more people won’t post pictures of themselves on social media without editing them or using filters – in fact, 71%  of people admit that they don’t post photos online without doing so first. This makes the proportion of people who give themselves ‘virtual plastic surgeries’ truly concerning.

In addition to low self-esteem and depression, body editing apps are also fuelling dysmorphia and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a mental health condition in which a person can’t stop thinking about their perceived flaws. People who suffer from this disorder often make extreme body alteration decisions, like excessive plastic surgery, and suffer from anxiety.

Campaigns challenging unrealistic body standards have encouraged millions of people to reject outdated stereotypes and celebrate diversity and inclusivity. While body editing apps continue to be popular, there are a few ways you can maintain body positivity and cultivate self-love:

• Focus on your general health rather than what your body looks like
• Stop comparing yourself to others
• Follow social media accounts that promote body positivity
• Exercise regularly and eat healthily
• Surround yourself with positive people
• Try not to let society’s pressures affect you

Genes Affect Predisposition To Obesity

Each one of us in our lives has at least once met a person who eats the most and still is the slimmest. Agreed? And on the other side of thought, we have also seen people who gain weight irrespective of the amount they eat. Even a simple sandwich can make them gain weight. Well, both are extreme situations and still the most real ones. Ever thought what can be the real reason behind this? Why can the slim ones eat anything and still be the slimmest and why do some others gain weight just by thinking of food (pun intended). Why do they have to struggle to lose each pound for eating an extra chocolate or pizza slice?

It is a known fact that calories are the major cause of weight gain. Simply saying, our body weight is directly proportional to the calories we consume, the calories we store, and the calories we burn. But it is not as simple as it looks. Each of the variables is impacted by a combination of genes and environment. Both can have an impact on your physiology as well as your behavior, implying a direct impact on how many calories you can store/burn and what food will affect your body weight.

The calorie equation

Let’s have a closer look at this. The number of calories our body can store and burn depends on three factors:

• Our genetic make-up
• Physical activity level
• Resting energy expenditure that implies the number of calories our body burns while at rest

The above three factors are the major components that impact how our body works and stores calories, indirectly impacting our energy levels. So, the calorie equation is simple. More the calories we burn and the more we can maintain our body weight. But if we consume more than we burn, obviously it will result in fat deposition. This fat gets deposited in specialized fat cells called adipose tissue. Fat is stored in these cells either by expanding the ones that are already present in the body or by producing more of them. Physical exercise and ingestion leads to the burning of calories which directly decreases the number of fat cells in our body. As a result of all this, we lose weight.

How much of your weight depends on your genes?

The following are the characteristics that symbolise that genes are the major reason for fat deposition in your body:

• You’ve been overweight for a long time.
• One or both of your parents, as well as several other blood relatives, are severely overweight. If both of your parents are obese, the chances of you being obese are as high as 80%.
• If you cannot lose weight after a constant increase in your physical activity and a low-calorie diet, genes are surely the main reason behind obesity.

Some at-home DNA tests can give you important information on how your body could be wired to store fat. This thorough article covers this topic in more detail. Using this information you can change your weight-loss strategies to see how your body responds to various diet plans.

The following are the characteristics that symbolise that genes are not the major reason for fat deposition in your body:

• Availability of food has a significant impact on your cravings.
• Although you are overweight, if you follow a strict diet and regular workout routines, you can lose weight to a great extent.
• When a change in your eating or workout habits, or even when you are not mentally well, you regain the lost weight.

Now you must have got a clear picture. The above facts will help you understand if genetic predisposition is a factor in you being overweight or not. But no worries, it isn’t so severe that you can’t overcome it. Whereas, people with only a minor hereditary predisposition for obesity have a fair chance of losing weight on their own through strict diets and intense workouts.

One of the causes of obesity is the food factor

Food factors can also be a major cause of obesity. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Americans nowadays are consuming more calories on average than they were in the 1970s. It is said that between 1971 and 2000, the average man consumed 168 additional calories per day, whereas the average woman consumed 335 additional calories per day. What can be the actual reason behind this upward trend? There are some factors that influence our decisions of calories intake. These factors are a combination of

• More availability of food
• Larger quantities being feasible
• And more high-calorie foods

In today’s era, food is readily available almost wherever we go. Let it be the retail malls, sports stadiums, public transports, metros, streets, and movie theatres. The list is never-ending. Also, the portion sizes that are served these days are huge. Although the fat content has been reduced over decades, the problem lies in the low-fat foods that have a lot of calories because they add high amounts of sugar in them to enhance their taste.

Severe Obesity and Genetics

Genes can be a major cause of your childhood obesity. Rare single-gene deficiency induces severe obesity from an early age and in fact, can induce extraordinarily high levels of hunger. It is advised that the children who are severely obese before the age of two should consult doctors or specifically saying an obesity medicine specialist about getting checked for:

• Leptin Deficiency
• POMC Deficiency
• MC4R Deficiency

Obesity Genetics: A Predisposition

According to a report, obese people are more likely to have numerous genes that predispose fat that makes them to gain extra weight over and over. The fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) is one of these fat genes which is found in up to 43% of the population. It is obvious for those with the fat mass and obesity-associated gene that they face difficulties regulating their caloric intake in the presence of easily available food. The presence of this gene, as well as other genes, can result in:

• Increase in hunger levels
• Increase in calorie consumption
• Reduction in satiety
• Reduction in eating control
• Increase in the tendency to be sedentary
• Increase in the tendency to store body fat

So, concluding this, I would like to say that genes play a really important factor in some people’s obesity. And fat is never a good deal. If you or your child is facing obesity at an early age, consult an obesity medicine specialist about getting checked for the solution.

As someone who is passionate about fashion and beauty, you might constantly dream about ways that you can make a living through this and how you can share your interests with others. This might sway you to become an expert in cosmetic procedures. However, getting a career in beauty can be harder than you think, and here are some of the top tips that you should follow.

·       Get Healthcare Experience

The first step that you should take is to get experience in the world of healthcare. Doing this will allow you to realize how medical facilities work and see first-hand the procedures that occur there, as well as the risks. Not only this, but the ability to carry out cosmetic procedures is a specialism, building on the groundwork of other health practices that have come before. Once you have a basis in this, you might be ready to perform the procedures on patients that most interest you and that can help them to find more joy in their appearance.

·       Look at Botox Training

Once you have decided that cosmetic procedures are a world that you want to be part of, it is important to look around for training schemes that can allow you to build up the skills and knowledge that you need. This training will prepare you for the real medical world and give you all of the scientific background you need to know concerning the procedures you are carrying out and understand them. However, not all training courses will be best for you. This means that you should look around for those that focus on the procedure you are interested in, such as Botox and filler training in a brick-and-mortar setting. When you are researching courses, you should try to find one with smaller classes and many different instructors, meaning that you will get all of the guidance and attention that you need while you are learning the trade.

·       Know Why You Are Doing It

Some people go into cosmetic procedures because they want to make money. Although the paycheck might be satisfying to you, this should not be the only reason you pursue this career. Instead, you might be pushing for this career because you want to give people more confidence, reverse the aging process, and boost the quality of life for those who have suffered an accident or a facial disfigurement. You should want to help people thrive, take control of their bodies, and battle the medical issues that are plaguing them. You should be patient-focused, wanting to give them the best experience possible, and excited about the outcome and the effect that this will have on their lives.

·       Have a Career Timeline

Right at the start of your career, you should consider outlining the timeline that you want to follow until you are at the peak of your career trajectory. This might include being employed at a clinic that you admire, or even setting up your own and being in control of your own business and working environment. Some people might also want to be leaders in their industries and innovate the practices that are already in place. Top Tips for a Career in Cosmetic and Beauty Procedures

Have you ever wondered why most Japanese ladies seem to have radiant skin that is also youthful and flawless skin? They adhere to rigorous skincare routines and only utilize the most effective skincare products from Japan.

Japanese skincare products include a higher concentration of botanical extracts and natural herbs, both of which help to enhance the texture and appearance of your skin. These products will thoroughly cleanse and nourish your skin while also providing you with an immediate boost of moisture and protection from the harmful effects of sun exposure. Consider it done for your quest for Japanese skincare products, as you are in the right post. Scroll down for further elaboration!

Why Japanese skincare is the best?

In Japanese skincare, the idea of softness in its broadest sense comes up again and again. In contrast to the nourishing skincare philosophy of the Japanese, which focuses on sun protection, thorough but gentle cleansing, and multiple layers of hydrating and moisturizing layers, the American approach to skin care is almost like attacking your own skin with aggressive exfoliation and harsh formulas. The basic steps of the standard Japanese skincare routine are taking off makeup, washing, moisturizing with a “lotion” (more on that in a moment), treating with a serum, and finishing with a moisturizer. Using facial masks regularly is another important part of the process.

As per the recommended Japanese skin care, hydration and a focus on keeping things as simple as possible are hallmarks of the Japanese beauty trend known as J-Beauty. In general, skincare procedures are condensed into a shorter amount of time and need a more limited range of items. The most important aspect is to have a clean-cut, well-groomed, and young appearance. Cleansers, essences, and moisturizers are the three main components of traditional Japanese skincare regimens. These three components work together to maintain the skin moisturized, plump, and supple. Here, the key is to layer in a way that is both light and nourishing.

Another area of differentiation between the trends is seen in the constituent elements. While snail mucus, rice bran, sea kelp, and sake are common components of Korean skincare, Japanese skincare places a greater emphasis on hydrating and anti-inflammatory components such as green tea, hyaluronic acid, Camellia oil, and Aloe Vera.

What is the Best Cosmetic Brand in Japan?

Jcomfy, a Japanese cosmetic brand, is widely considered to be one of the most effective online shopping platforms. It imports items from Japan that are known for their excellent quality. Jcomfy is a secure and user-friendly shopping platform, and it offers a wide variety of health and beauty items for you to choose from, including those for your face and body, as well as cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and equipment for applying makeup, amongst other things.

With the beauty market situation in Thailand continuing to improve, more and more people in Thailand are showing an interest in purchasing goods that are made in Japan. This is due to the fact that customers have faith in the reliability and reputation of the product; hence, Jcomfy saw this as a significant chance to get items of exceptional quality. However, there are plans to explore abroad markets such as China, Malaysia, Singapore, and others in Asia in the near future. The company’s primary emphasis will be on providing items that are applicable throughout the whole country of Thailand.

What Do Japanese Use for Skincare?

Skin Care Routine in the Morning

• Don’t use a harsh cleanser first thing in the morning. Use a Japanese cleansing cream that is gentle and evens out the pH. Gentle cleansers don’t remove your skin’s natural oils and keep wrinkles and fine lines from showing up.
• Toners that have alcohol content can dry out the skin, but a skin softener can lock in moisture and give your skin more nutrients.
• Take the softener in the palm of your hand and gently apply it to your face and neck. After the softener has been absorbed, put on a moisturizer.
• You can even use lotion or essence instead of a softener. Liquid hydrators are like a cross between a serum and a toner. They make it easier for products to get into your skin. You can do both at different times.
• The essence will make your skin smoother and fuller by removing spots. The gel-based lotion can tighten and hydrate your skin, making it firmer. Some lotions also have antioxidants to keep the skin moist and healthy.
• During the day, you can use a moisturizer with built-in sunscreen or sunscreen with at least SPF 30 before applying moisturizer. It will keep the sun’s UV rays from damaging your skin and keep you from getting older.
• In Japan, collagen-based skin care products are very popular. Even supplements, drinks, masks, and gloves are made from collagen.
• Look for Japanese wrinkle cream that contains collagen. Collagen is one of your skin’s building blocks of younger-looking skin, and it helps keep your skin flexible and firm.
• The surrounding skin around your eyes is thin and fragile and ages faster than other parts of your face. Use a good eye gel to keep wrinkles from showing up. If you use eye gels often, try to get a lymphatic eye massage. This can help nourish the area under your eyes.
• Use your ring finger to get a small portion of eye gel along the area under your eyes. Then, start pressing gently at the outer corner of the eye and move in toward the inner eye, the nose, and the end of the eyebrows. Hold there for a few seconds with your thumb.

Skin Care Routine at Night

• Have your face washed with warm water and a gentle cleanser. Make sure the cleanser is as gentle as possible. Use the towel in an upward motion to dry your face. This makes the blood flow better and brings more nutrients to the face.
• After that, use a light cleansing oil with ingredients like antioxidants to give your skin even more nutrition. It will also make your skin glow while getting rid of bacteria, dirt, and makeup. Choose items that don’t have a lot of alcohol in them.
• Use a serum to nourish your skin after you’ve cleaned and hydrated it with a softener or hydrator. Some Japanese products are full of antioxidants that get deep into your skin and give it the nutrients it needs.
• Use a moisturizer after cleansing to get the most out of your products. It’s important to choose a moisturizer with mild ingredients that come from plants and help nourish your skin.
• Get a face massager and use it to give your face a massage. It helps bring more blood to your face, bringing nutrients to the epidermis, tightening the skin, and reducing lines and wrinkles. For the best results, use it often.

Categories of Various Skin Types

From a cosmetics point of view, skin is categorized by the amount of oil it makes, how well it stays hydrated, and how sensitive it is. So, each skin type has its qualities and needs different care. Genes determine skin type but can also be affected by other things and change over time.

• Normal

The skin on this person is neither too dry nor too oily. It has a consistent texture, no flaws, and a clean, soft look. It doesn’t need any special care.

• Sensitive

People who belong to those with sensitive skin types are more likely to react to things that don’t bother people with normal skin. It is a thin skin type that usually comes with uncomfortable feelings like heat, tightness, redness, or itching.

• Dry

Dry skin is usually caused by things outside the body, like the weather, low humidity in the air, or being in hot water for a long time. But for some people, it may happen more often or even last their whole lives.

• Oily

Oily skin looks rough, wet, and bright. It happens when sebaceous glands make too much fat, which is usually caused by genetics and/or hormones. It is common in teens and young adults under 30 years old and is usually linked to acne.

• Combination

Since the sebaceous glands and sweat glands are not all in the same place, it has dry and oily skin depending on where it is. Usually, the T-zone has more oil than the cheeks, which have normal or dry skin.

5 Japanese Skincare Must-Haves in 2022

Below is the list of five Japanese skincare products you must have for the year 2022, as follows:

• M-Dear Whip Wash

WHIP WASH is a gentle and soft whip foam from Japan that will leave your skin moister than it has ever been. Japanese gentle and soft whip foam that can brighten your skin. From the first use of it, you can feel your skin getting brighter, clearer, and more moisturized. It comes from Japan and is a high-quality product for cleaning. Get rid of dead skin and dirt from your face to reveal clean, bright, and hydrated skin.

• M-Dear Renew Serum

This serum helps reduce wrinkles and aging by repairing damaged skin cells. It combines the benefits of Sh-Oligopeptide-1, which can fix damaged skin cells, stop the skin from aging, and stop wrinkles from forming. This gives you firm, attractive skin.

• M-Dear UV Protection Gel SPF50+

It is an easy-to-use sunscreen with a light texture that won’t leave a white mark or clog your pores. It protects your skin from UVA/UVB, Infrared, and pollution. This product also aids in preventing sun-related melasma, dark spots, and wrinkles. Creates a skin shield and nourishes the skin daily with various high-quality plant extracts.

• M-Dear Renew Bright Lotion

This soft and light lotion makes your skin look brighter while removing dark spots, making the skin firmer, and reducing wrinkles. It also has Sh-Oligopeptide-1, which makes the skin feel smooth.

• M-Dear VC-IP White Serum 20

This brightening serum is better than others because it absorbs pure Vitamin C derivatives at a rate of 20% and helps reduce dark spots directly, which makes the skin look brighter.

People have said that Japanese skin care products are better in many ways. From their well-researched ways of making things to their use of only the best ingredients, it is common knowledge that you will always be buying a quality product.

There are a lot of well-known and new Japanese skincare brands on the market right now, which can be confusing if you do not know much about them. If so, you can go to https://www.jcomfy.com/en/ for guidance and more tips on how to take care of your skin.